Onium catalysts for polyester preparation



United States Patent 3,230,195 ONIUM CATALYSTS FOR PGLYESTER PREPARATION Andi- Jan Conix, Hove-Antwerp, Belgium, assignor to Gevaert Photo-Producten N.V., Mortsel, Belgium, a company of Belgium No Drawing. Filed Mar. 14, 1961, Ser. No. 95,470 Claims priority, application Belgium, Mar. 18, 1960, 39,631, Patent 588,783; Apr. 29, 1960, 39,742, Patent 590,301

4 Claims. (Cl. 260-47) This invention relates to an improved process for the manufacture of high-molecular weight linear thermoplastic polyesters. More particularly it relates to such a process wherein onium compounds are used as catalysts.

It is known to prepare high-molecular weight polyesters possessing a high softening point and which are soluble in low boiling solvents, by reacting diphenates of diphenols of the general formula with diacid chlorides of dicarboxylic acid of the general formula HOOC-ACOOH wherein A is a bivalent radical such as or CH,and

R and R each represent an ether group, a thioether group, a carbonyl group, a carbon atom making part of a cycloaliphatic ring, or a methylene group which can be substituted by an alkyl group, a halogen atom, a halogenated alkyl group, a cycloalkyl group or an aryl group, preferably at least one of the R and R being a substituted methylene group or a carbon atom which makes part of a cycloaliphatic group, as described in our US. application Serial No. 702,252 filed December 12, 1957, and now abandoned.

Preferably, the polycondensat-ion is carried out in a reaction medium consisting of immiscible liquids, one of them being a solvent or a swelling agent for the dicarboxylic acid chloride and also for the formed polyester, the other liquid being a solvent for the metal d-iphenate.

From our US. application Serial No. 797,587 filed March 6, 1959 and now abandoned it is known to prepare polyesters of the class of polysulphonates by reacting diphenates with aromatic disulphochlorides of the general formula wherein R has the same significance as above.

Further it is known that in the polycondensation of polyesters and polycondensates according to the above described process, minor amounts of quaternary ammonium compounds can be used as catalysts in form of their free bases or their salts.

Now We have found that high-molecular weight thermoplastic polyphenyl carboxylic acid esters, which are soluble in organic solvents and which are high melting without decomposing, can be prepared much more rapidly, if alkali diphenates in an aqueous solution or suspension are reacted with acidchlorides of dicarboxylic acids dissolved in an organic solvent which is immiscible with water, and which is a solvent for the polyesters and "ice the polysulphonates to be formed in the presence of minor amounts of quaternary phosphonium compounds or quaternary arsonium compounds as catalysts, in form of their free bases or their salts.

Generally the acid chlorides of dicarboxylic acids are soluble in halogenated hydrocarbons. When they are only sparingly soluble in these organic solvents, the diacid chlorides may be dispersed in these organic solvents wherein they partly dissolve. As the reaction proceeds the undissolved diacid chlorides dissolve before reacting.

In principle any quaternary phosphonium compound or quaternary arsonium compound can be used as a catalyst, preferably, however, those which are soluble in water and/or in the organic solvent wherein the polycondensation is carried out.

Specific quaternary phosphonium compounds suitable for being applied in this new process are, e.'g.:

tr-iphenyl methyl phosphonium iodide,

triphenyl benzyl phosphonium chloride, p xylylene bis-{triphenyl phosphonium chloride), tetraethyl phosphonium bromide,

triethyl octadecyl phosphonium iodide,

ethyl cyclopentamethylene phenyl phosphonium acetate, p-xylylene-bis-(triethyl phosphoniu'm bromide), bis-'(triethyl phosphonium acetate)-=1,4-butane and many others such as those described by G. M. Kosolapoll, Organophosphorous Com-pounds (John Wiley and Sons, Inc., New York, 1950), pp. 86-94.

Specific quaternary arsonium compounds suitable for being applied in this new process are, e.g.:

methyl triphenyl arsonium iodide,

triphenyl benzyl arsonium bromide,

triphenyl benzyl arsonium chloride, trimethyl octyl arsonium iodide,

triethyl bcnzyl arsonium iodide,

diphenyl benzyl-a-naphthyl arsonium iodide, dicarboxymethyl triphenyl arsonium bromide,

and many others such as, e.g., those described by A. Michaelis, Ann. Chem. 321 (1902), pp. 141248, by F. F. Blicke et al., 1.A.C.S. 60, 421 (1938); 61, 89 (1939) and 63, 1493 (1941).

The advantages of using quaternary phosphonium compounds as catalysts appears from the following table in which is given a series of comparative intrinsic viscosity values [7;] taken from the copolycondensation reaction of the polyphenyl ester of sodium diphenate of 2,2-bis(4- hydroxyphenyD-propane with a /25 mixture of isophthaloyl chloride and terephth-aloyl chloride.

The reaction period is measured from the moment that all the reactants are mixed. It appears that the quaternary phosphonium compounds are better catalysts than the quaternary ammonium compounds since:

(1) They give higher maximal intrinsic viscosity values (2) They work more rapidly, i.e., they markedly shorten the required reaction time for reaching a determined "intrinsic viscosity value (3) They can be used in smaller concentrations. The advantages of using quaternary arsonium com- Bis (4-hydroxyphenyl -methane pounds as catalysts appears from the following table in 5 Bis(4 hydmxy 3 methyl pheny1) methane which is given a series of comparative intrinsic viscosity Bis(4-.hydroXy-3 s-dichlorQpheflyl)-methane values [1 taken from the polycondensation reaction of Bi (4-1 d -3,5-dibr mo henyl)-methane the polyphenyl ester of sodium diphenate of 2,2-bis(4- Bis(4-hydroxy-3,S-difluorophenyl)-methane 'hydroXyphenyD-propane with isophthaloyl chloride. Bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)-ketone Catalyst; Triphenyl methyl arsonium Triethyl benzyl ammonium iodide, concentrations in chloride, concentrations in percent percent I Reaction period: 0.05 0.1 0.2 0.5 1 0.05 0.1 0.2 0.5 1

5min 0.75 0.18 30min 1.80 1.03 1h 1.7 1.85 1.85 1.80 1.30 0.50 0.90 1.34 1.65 0.7

The reaction period is measured from the moment that Bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)-sulphide .all the reactants are mixed. For the same reasons as Bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)-sulphone given above in the case of quaternary phosphonium corn- 4,4'-dihydroxydiphenyl ether pounds, it appears that also the quaternary arsonium com- 1,1-bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)-ethane pounds are better catalysts than the quaternary ammo- 2,2-bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)-propane nium compounds. 2,2-bis(4-hydroxy-3-methylphenyl)-propane The diphenols which are considered for the preparation 2,2-bis(4-hydroxy-3-chlorophenyl)-propane of high-molecular weight polyesters according to the 2,2-bis(4-hydroxy-3,S-dichlorophenyl)-pr0pane present invention correspond to the following general 2,2-bis(4-hydroxynaphthyl)-pr0pan formula: Bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)-phenyl methane Bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)-diphenyl methane L l ll l Bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)-4'-methyl phenyl methane L i L i L l J 1,l-bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)-2,2,2-trichloroethane p m Bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)-(4-eh1orophenyl)-methane v wherein 1,1-bis 4-hydroxyphenyl -cyclohexane i Bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)-cyclohexyl methane Ar represents an aromatic nucleus such as a phenylene 4 4l dihydroxydi he 1 P Y nucleus, a biphenylene nucleus or a naphthylene 2 z d di h l nucleus; 7 l ihydroxynaphthalenes such as 2,6-dihydroxynaphthalene R represents a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group (such as hydroquinone a methyl group and an ethyl group), a halogenated 40 b alkyl group, an aryl group (such as a phenyl group z6 dihydmxytoluene and a naphthyl group), a halogenated aryl group, an 26 dihyd'roXych1or0benZ6ne aralkyl group (such as a benzyl group and a phenyld 1 y roxyto uene ethyl group), a halogenated aralkyl group, an alkyl substituted aryl group, a halogenated alkyl substituted As dicarboxylic acid chlorides for the reaction are conaryl group, a cyclo-aliphatic group or a halogenated sidered acid chlorides having the formula cycloaliphatic group; 1 1 X represents an alkylene or an alkylidene group such as methylene, ethylene, propylene, ethylidene, propylidene wherein Z represents a single bond or one of the radicals and isopropylidene, or two or more alkylene or alkyl- O idene groups bonded together by an aromatic radical, (CRiRrh F 0 Rim) 0 Ar Ar Ar by a tertiary amino radical (N(alk)-'-) by an ether radical (O), by a carbonyl radical (CO), by -(CR R 'Ar-(CR1Rz) a radical containing sulphur such as a sulphide (S--), a sulphoxide (-SO-) or a sulphonyl (-SO (O l 2)n l 2)n' radical. Moreover X can be a cycloaliphatlc group, W W or a radical containing sulphur, such as a sulphide, a I, sulphoxide or a sulphonyl group, an ether radical, a E I H carbonyl radical or a tertiary amino radical; V -Y represents a halogen atom, a nitro'group, a R radical,

6O ,O-ArO-, OAr -X -Ar O or an OR radical wherein R has the same significance I as set forth above for R; O (CRRZ)' O AI Ar (CR1R2)"O m represents an integer of from 0 to the number of re- (CRR2)" O placeable hydrogen atoms on X; in which radicals: n i i a Integer of to the gumbelr g j Ar represents an arylene radical such as an o-phenylene i a f fi 0 t e aromanc nuc eus radical a m-phenylene radical, a p-phenylene radical p is of 1 d and a naphthylene radical, these arylene radicals ocg m o i casionally being substituted by an alkyl group or by a r 1s an mteger which may be 0 1f q is 0. halogen atom. j v

If in the diphenols. according to the formula, more 7 R and R each represents a hydrogen atom, an allgyl than one substituent Y is present, these substituents may radical or an aryl radical; g 1 be the same or different. This remark also applies to the X represents a single bond or one of the radicals substituents R and R. The hydroxyl groups and the CZ Z C0, --O, S,, --SO,- or substituents Y of the aromatic nuclei may occur in the SO wherein Z and Z each represent a hydrogen 0rtho-, metaor para-positions. 7 atom, an alkyl group, an aryl group, or together represent the atoms necessary to complete a cycloaliphatic ring; m is an integer of from 1 to 2; n is an integer of from 1 to 20, and

means partial or complete hydrogenation of an aromatic nucleus, the free bonds of which are in the 1,1-; 1,2-; 1-3- or 1,4-position.

As dicarboxylic acids chlorides suitable for being used according to the method of the present invention are considered: terephthalic acid chloride, isophthalic acid chloride, phthalic acid, sebacic acid chloride, adipic acid, bischloroformate of 2,2 bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)-propane and ethylene glycol bischloroformate.

If they are sufficiently soluble the high-molecular weight linear polyphenyl esters according to the present invention can he worked up from solutions to films and filaments.

Furthermore, the polyesters prepared according to the present invention are thermoplastic and can be worked up from the melt by extrusion, injection moulding, calandering or other methods into shaped articles of consumption. Among these articles foils are to be mentioned especially.

The following examples illustrate the present invention without limiting, however, the scope thereof. The intrinsic viscosity values [71] were measured in sym.-tetrachloroethane at C.

Example 1 In a 250 cm. three-necked flask fitted with a stirrer and a dropping funnel are placed 4.56 g. (0.02 mol) of 2,2-bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)propane, 75 mg. (1% based on the weight of polymer) of triphenyl methyl arsonium iodide, 40.4 g. of N sodium hydroxide (this being an excess of 1%) and 20 cm. of methylene chloride. Over 5 min. is dropwise added thereto a solution of 4.06 g. of isophthaloyl chloride (0.02 mol) in 15 cm. of methylene chloride. After rinsingthe dropping funnel with 5 cm. of methylene chloride, the mixture is stirred for a further hour. During the polycondensation the reaction mixture separates into a highly viscous organic layer and a water layer which is decanted. After washing the organic layer with water, the polymer is precipitated by pouring in boiling Water. The formed flakes are dried at 110 C. Yield: 7.2 g. [1 ]=l.30 dL/g.

The formed polyester corresponds to the formula Example 2 The same procedure as in Example 1 is carried through, using, however, as a catalyst only mg. of triphenyl methyl arsonium iodide (0.5% based on the weight of formed polymer). [1;]=l.80 dL/g.

Example 3 The same procedure as in Example 1 is carried through, employing, however, as a catalyst but 15 mg. of triphenyl methyl arsonium iodide (0.2% based on the weight of formed polymer). [v ]=l.85 dl./g.

Example 4 The same procedure as in Example 1 is carried through, employing, however, as a catalyst but 8 mg. of triphenyl methyl arsonium iodide (0.1% based on the weight of formed polymer). ['r ]=l.85 dL/ g.

6 Example 5 The same procedure as in Example 1 is carried through, employing, however, as a catalyst but 4 mg. of triphenyl methyl arsonium iodide (0.05% based on the formed polymer). [1;]=1.7 dl./g.

Example 6 The same procedure as in Example 1 is carried through using, however, as a catalyst 15 mg. of triphenyl methyl arsonium iodide and stirring the reaction mixture for only 30 min. [1 ]=1.80 dL/g.

Example 7 The same procedure as in Example 1 is carried through, using, however, as a catalyst 15 mg. of triphenyl methyl arsonium iodide and stirring the reaction mixture for only 5 min. [1 ]:075 dl./g.

Example 8 In a 250 cm. three-necked flask fitted with a stirrer, a dropping funnel and a thermometer are placed 4.56 g. of 2,2-bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)-propane (0.02 mol), 150 mg. of triphenyl benzyl arsonium bromide (2% based on the weight of polymer), 40.4 cm. (1% of excess) of N sodium hydroxide and 20 cm. of methylene chloride. Over 5 min. is dropwise added thereto a solution of 4.06 g. of isophthaloyl chloride (0.02 mol) in 15 cm. of methylene chloride. After rinsing the dropping funnel with 5 cm? of methylene chloride, the mixture is stirred for another 30 minutes. The reaction mixture separates into a highly viscous organic layer and a Water layer which is decanted. After washing the organic layer with water, the polymer is precipitated by pouring in boiling water. The formed flakes are dried at 110 C. ]=1.22 dL/g.

Example 9 In a 250 cm. three-necked flask fitted with a stirrer, a thermometer and a dropping funnel, which flask is cooled in an ice-acetone bath of l0 C. are placed 6.35 g. of 1,1 bis(4 hydroxyphenyl) 2,2,2-trichloroethane (0.02 mol), 4.06 g. of isophthaloyl chloride (0.02 mol), 200 mg. of triphenyl benzyl arsonium bromide and 25 cm. of methylene chloride. The temperature in the flask being 5 C. and whilst thoroughly stirring, 40.4 cm. of N sodium hydroxide (1% of excess) are added over 5 min. Stirring is continued for 30 min. at--5 C. and then for min. at room temperature. The reaction mixture separates into a highly viscous organic layer and a water layer which is decanted. After washing the organiclayer with water, the polymer is precipitated by pouring the solution into boiling water. The obtained flakes are then dried at C. 2]=0.70 dl./g.

The obtained polyester has the formula:

Example 10 In a 250 cm. three-necked flask fitted with a stirrer and a dropping funnel are placed 3.66 g. (0.01 mol) of 2,2-bis(4 hydroxy-3,S-dichlorophenyl)propane, mg. of triphenylbenzyl arsonium chloride, 20.2 cm. of N sodium hydroxide and 3 cm. of 1,1,2-trichloroethane. Over 5 min. are added thereto 2.95 g. of 4,4-diphenyl ether dicarboxylic acid chloride (0.01 mol) and 7 c'm. of 1,1,2-trichloroethane. After rinsing with 5 cm. of 1,1,2-trichloroethane, stirring is continued for 1 hour. The reaction mixture separates into a highly viscous organic layer and a water layer which is decanted. After washing the organic layer with Water, the polymer is precipitated by pouring the reaction mixture into alcohol, after diluting with 20 cm. of 1,1,2-trichloroethane. The

7 8 obtained flakes are then dried at 110 C. [1 ]=1.0 dl./ g. 4.06 g. (0.02 mol) of isophthaloyl chloride and 4.06 g. The obtained polyester has the formula: (0.02 mol) of o-phthaloyl chloride in 30 cm. of methyl- 01 Cl 1 e l -@t@ t-@- @t L i CH3 l OJX Example 11 ene chloride. After rinsing with cm. of methylene In a 250 3 threemecked flask, fitted with a stirrer chloride, stirring is continued for 2 h. The reaction and a dropping funnel are placed 228 ((10.1 mol) f 10 mixture separates into highly viscous organic layer bis(4 hydroxy 3 methylphenylymethane, 90 mg. f and a water layer which is decanted. After washing the triphenyl benzyl arsonium iodide, 20.2 g. of N sodium Organic layer with Water the p y is Precipitated by hydroxid a d 3 f methylene hlorid Over 5 pouring into boiling water. The obtained flakes are min. is added thereto a solution of 2.95 g. (0.01 mol) of dried at 110 C. [1 ]=0.9 dl./g. The formed copoly- 4,4'-diphenyl ether dicarboxylic acid chloride in 7 cm. ester has the formula CH3 CH O O -Qt-Q w 0L ii '1 CH3 0 L (3113 J X Y of methylene chloride. After rinsing with 5 cm. of Example 15 methylene chloride stirring is continued for 2 h. The reaction mixture separates into a highly viscous organic In a 250 cm. three-necked flask fitted with a stirrer layer and a water layer which is decanted. After washand a dropping funnel are placed 9.12 g. (0.04 mol) of ing the organic layer with water, the polymer is precipi- 2,2-bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)-propane, 200 mg. of triphenyltated by pouring into boiling water. The obtained flakes methyl arsonium iodide, 84 cm. (5% of excess) of N d i d t11() C ;]=1 6 d1 /g sodium hydroxide and 10 cm. of methylene chloride. The formed polyester has the formula: Over 5 min. is added thereto a solution of 6.5 g. (0.04 @y l I I 5 1 CH3 CH3 x Example 12 mol plus an excess of 5%) of fumaroyl chloride in The same procedure as in Example 11 is carried 15 cm. of methylene chloride. The dropping funnel is through, employing however, 228 of 22 bis(4 hydr0X then rinsed with 10 cm. of methylene chloride and stirypheny1) pmpane instead f 228 g f 3 ring is continued for 1 h. The reaction mixture separates methylphenyl)-methane. 1; :13 dL/g. The obtained mo 21 hlghly vlscous orgamc layer and a Water layer polyester has the formula which is decanted. After washing the organic layer with F Q Q Q Q l -0- oo-oo- 0- L n H CH 0 x Example 13 Water the polymeris precipitated by pouring into boiling In a 250 cm. three-necked flask fitted with a stirrer, a 332 6 2 1 /gobtamed flakes am dned at 110 thermometer and a dropping funnel are placed 4.56 g. (0.02 mol) of 2,2-bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)-propane, 4 mg. of triphenyl methyl arsonium iodide (0.05% based on I 3 I the weight of polymer), 40.4 cm. of N sodium hydroxide (|3 Q Q CH=OH O -and 25 cm. of methylene chloride. Over 4 minutes is L 1 1 g dropwise added thereto a solution of 3.045 g. of iso- 3 phthaloyl chloride (0.015 mol) and 1.015 g. of tereph- Exam! 16 thaloyl chloride (0.005 mol) in 15 cm. of methylene In a 250 cm. three-necked flask fitted with a stirrer chloride. After rinsing with 5 cm. of methylene chloand a dropping funnel are placed 4.56 g. (0.02 mol) ride stirring is continued for 10 minutes. The reaction of 2,2-bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)-propane, 150 mg. of tri- The formed polyester has the formula:

mixture separates into a highly viscous organic layer and phenylmethyl phosphonium iodide (2% based on the a water layer which is decanted. After washing the Weight of polymer), 40.4 cm. (1% of excess) of N soorganic layer with water the polymer is precipitated by dium hydroxide and 6 em. .of methylene chloride. Over pouring into alcohol, after diluting with 20 cm? of 5 min. is dropwise added thereto with stirring a solution methylene chloride. The formed flakes are dried at of 3.045 g. (0.015 mol) of isophthaloyl chloride and 110 C. ['27]=1.4 dl./ g. The obtained copolyester has 1.015 g. (0.005 mol) of terephthaloyl chloride in 14 cm.

the formula: of methylene chloride. After rinsing the dropping funnel T W l t"**t-@* (111. ll OJ L CH. ll (LL X Example 14 with 5 cm. of methylene chloride, stirring is continued In a 250 cm. three-necked flask fitted with a stirrer for concentration of P y in methylene and a dropping f l are placed 912 04 mol) f chloride then amounts to 50%. During the polyconden- 2,2-bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)propane, 320 mg. of triphen l- Station the reaction mixture separates into a highly vis- .benzyl arsonium bromic 80.8 cm. (1% of excess) of cous organic layer and a water layer which is decanted. N sodium hydroxide and 10 cm. of methylene chloride. After Washing the organic layer with water, the polymer Over 10 min. is dropWise added thereto a solution of is precipitated by pouring into boiling water. The obtained flakes are then dried at 110 C. Yield: 7.2 g. [1 }:104 dL/g.

The formed copolyester has the .formula:

Example 17 The same procedure as in Example 16 is carried through stirring, however, for only 30 minutes. b --l.02 dL/g.

Example 18 The same procedure as in Example 8 is carried through, stirring, however, for only minutes. [iq]=1.l dl./ g.

Example 19 The same procedure as in Example 16 is carried through, employing, however, as a catalyst but 4 mg. of triphenyl methyl phosphonium iodide (0.05% based-on theweight of polymer) and stirring for 2 -h. [1;]:114 dL/g.

Example 20 The same procedure as in Example 19 is carried through, stirring, however, for only 5 min. [1 1:048

dl./g.

Example 21 In a 250 cm. three-necked flask fitted with a stirrer and a dropping funnel are brought 4.56 g. (0.02 mol) of 2,2- bis (4-hydroxyphenyl)-propane, 150 mg. of triphenylbenzyl phosphonium chloride (2% based on the weight of polymer), 40.4 cm. (1% of excess) of N sodium hydroxide and 6 cm. of methylene chloride. Over 5 minutes is dropwise added thereto a'solution of 3i045 g. (0.015 mol) of isophthaloyl chloride and 1.015 g. (0.005 mol) of terephthaloyl chloride in 14 cm. of methylene chloride. The funnel is rinsed with 5 cm. of methylene chloride and the reaction mixture is stirred for 2 h. The concentration of the polymer thus amounts to 50%. During the polycondensation the reaction mixture separates into a highly viscous organic layer and a water layer which is decanted. After washing the organic layer with water,

'the polymer is precipitated by pouring in boiling water.

The formed flakes are dried at 110 C. 7l=1.02 dl./g.

Example 22 The same procedure as in Example 21 is carried through, stirring, however, for only 30 minutes. [1;]:122 dL/g.

Example 23 'The same procedure as in Example 21 is carried through, stirring, .however, for only 5 minutes. ['27]=0.86

dl./ g.

Example 24 The same procedure as in Example 21 is carried through, employing, however, as a catalyst only 4 mg. of triphenyl benzyl phosphoniumchoride (0.05 based on the weight of polymer). [1;] =14: dl./g.

Example 25 The same procedure as in Example 21 is carried through, employing, however, as a catalyst only 4 mg. of

10 triphenyl benzyl phosphonium chloride (0.05% based on the weight of polymer) and stirring for only 5 min. [1;]:064 dL/g.

Example 26 In a 250 cm. threemecked flask fitted with a stirrer, a thermometer and a dropping funnel and which is cooled at -10 C. inan ice-acetone bath are placed 6.35 g. (0.02 mol) of l,1-bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)-2,2,2-trichloroethane, 4.06 g. (0.02 .mol) of isophthaloyl chloride, 200 mg. of triphenyl benzyl phosphonium chloride and 2-5 cm. of methylene chloride. 'Whilst strongly stirring and at a temperature in the flask of '5 C. is added'to'the reaction mixture over 5 min. 40.4 cm. (1% of excess) of N sodium hydroxide. Stirring is continued at this temperature for 30 min. and thenat room temperature for min. During the polycondensation the reaction mixture separates into a highly viscous organic layer and a water layer which is decanted. After washing the organic layer with water, the polymer is precipitated by pouring into boiling water. The obtained flakes are then dried at C. 71 0.84 dL/g.

The formed polyester has the formula:

Example 27 In a 250 cm. three-necked flask fitted with a stirrer and a dropping funnel are placed 3.66 g. (0.01mol)-of 2,2- bis(4-hydroxy,3,S-dichlorodiphenyl)-propane, mg. of

'triphenyl benzyl phosphonium chloride, 20.2 crn. of N sodium hydroxide and 3 cm. of 1,1,2-trichloroethane. Over 5 min. is added thereto a solution of 2.95 .g. (0.01 mol) of 4,4'-diphenyl ether dicarboxylic acid chloride and 7 cm. of 1,1,2-trichloroethane. After rinsing the funnel with'5 cm. of 1,1,2 trichloroethane stirring is continued for 1 hour. During the polycondensation the reaction mixture separates into a highly viscous organic layer and a Water layer which is decanted. After Washing the organic layer with water, 20 cm. of 1,1,2-trichloroethane are added. The polymer is precipitated by pouring out this mixture into alcohol. The obtained flakes are dried at 110 C. [n]=l.06 dL/g.

The formed polyester has the formula:

Example 28 In a 250 cm. three-necked flask fitted with a stirrer and a dropping funnel are brought 2.28 g. (0.01 mol) of bis-(4=hydroxy-3-methylphenyl)-methane, 90 'mg. of triphenyl benzyl .phosphonium chloride, 20.2 cm. of -N sodium hydroxide and 3 cm. of methylene chloride. Over 5 min. is added thereto a solution or 2.95 g. (0.01

mol) of 4,4'-diphenyl ether dicarboxylic acid chloride in 7cm. of methylene chloride. After rinsing the-dropping funnel with 5 cm. of methylene chloride, the mixture is stirred for another 2 h. During the condensation the reaction mixture separates into a highly viscous organic layer and a water layer which is decanted. After washing the organic layer with water, the polymer is 11 precipitated by pouring in boiling water.

flakes are dried at 110 C. [1 ]:155 dl./g.

L. L a LW fi Oi l 11 r @l.

The formed polyester corresponds to the formula:

The formed 12 obtained which are dried at 110 C. [1;]=0.75 dL/g. The formed copolyester corresponds to the formula: v

Example 29 Example 32 In a 250 cm. three-necked flask fitted with a stirrer and a dropping funnel are placed 9.12 g. (0.04 mol) of 2,2-bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)-propane, 200 mg. of triphenyl benzyl phosphonium chloride, 84 cm.. (5% of excess) of N sodium hydroxide and cm. of methylene chlo- Example 30 In a 250 cm. three-necked flask fitted with a stirrer and a dropping funnel are brought 4.56 g. (0.02 mol) of 2,2-bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)-propane, 4 mg. (0.05% based on the weight of polymer) of triphenyl methyl phosphonium iodide, 40.4 cm. of N sodium hydroxide and 25 cm. of 1,1,2-trichloroethane. Over 4 min. are added thereto a solution of 4.06 g. (0.02 mol) of isophthaloyl chloride in cm. of methylene chloride. After rinsing the funnel with 5 cm. of 1,1,2-trichloroethane stirring is continued for 10 min. During the polycondensation the reaction mixture separates into a highly viscous organic layer and a water layer which is decanted. After washing the organic layer with water and diluting with cm. of 1,1,2-trichloroethane the polymer is precipitated by pouring in alcohol. The obtained flakes are dried at 110 C. [1 ]=1.16 dL/g. The formed polyester corresponds to the formula:

{ iZZ r a Example 31 In a 250 cm. three-necked flask fitted with a stirrer and a dropping funnel are placed 9.12 g. (0.04 mol), of 2,2-bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)-propane, 320 mg. of triphenyl benzyl phosphonium chloride, 80.8 cm. (1% of excess) of 1 sodium hydroxide and 10 cm. of methylene chloride. Over 10 min. is dropwise added thereto a solution of 4.06 g. (0.02 mol) of isophthaloyl chloride and 4.06 g. (0.02 mol) of o-phthaloyl chloride in cm. of methylene chloride. After rinsing the dropping funnel with 10 cm. of methylene chloride, stirring is continued for 2 h. After the usual treatment polymer flakes are ride. Over 5 min. is added thereto a solution of 6.5 g. (0.04 mol plus an excess of 5%) of fumaroyl chloride in 15 cm. of methylene chloride. After rinsing the dropping funnel with 10 cm. of methylene chloride, stirring is continued for still 1 h. During the polycondensation the reaction mixture separates into a highly viscous organic layer and a water layer which is decanted. After washing the organic layer with water, the polymer is precipitated by pouring in boiling water. The formed flakes are dried at C. [n]=0.6 dL/g. The obtained polyester has the formula:

I claim:

1. A process for preparing high molecular weight linear thermoplastic polyesters comprising, reacting an alkali metal diphenate of a diphenol in aqueous solution with at least one organic dicarboxylic acid halide, dissolved in a halogenated hydrocarbon solvent, which is a solvent for the polyester to be formed, in the presence of a catalyst selected from the group consisting of quaternary phosphonium compounds and quaternary arsonium compounds.

2. The process of claim lywherein the organic dicarboxylic acid dihalide is an aromatic dicarboxylic acid dichloride.

3. The process of claim 2 wherein the aromatic dicarboxylic acid dichloride comprises isophthaloyl chloride.

4. The process of claim 2 wherein the aromatic dicarboxylic acid dichloride comprises terephthaloyl chlo ride.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,475,005 7/1949 Brannon 260-59 3,028,364 4/1962 Conix 26049 FOREIGN PATENTS 553,967 1/1957 Belgium.

WILLIAM H. SHORT, Primary Examiner. H. N. BURSTEIN, Examiner; 

1. A PROCESS FOR PREPARING HIGH MOLECULAR WEIGHT LINEAR THERMOPLASTIC POLYESTERS COMPRISING, REACTING AN ALKALI METAL DIPHENATE OF A DIPHENOL IN AQUEOUS SOLUTION WITH AT LEAST ONE ORGANIC DICARBOXYLIC ACID HALIDE, DISSOLVED IN A HALOGENATED HYDROCARBON SOLVENT, WHICH IS A SOLVENT FOR THE POLYESTER TO BE FORMED, IN THE PRESENCE OF A CATALYST SELECTED FROM THE GROUP CONSISTING OF QUATERNARY PHOSPHONIUM COMPOUNDS AND QUATERNARY ARSONIUM COMPOUNDS. 